Many people now pay with a smartphone. This is called a cashless payment. It means paying without notes or coins. It is fast and easy. Still, carrying some cash is a smart safety habit.
A phone can lose power. A shop’s payment machine can also stop working. During a power cut, phone payments and bank machines may fail. Government advice says small bills and coins can help then. (bousai.go.jp)
Imagine you are walking home after a strong storm. Your phone works, but the mobile network is down. You stop at a small shop for water and bread. The shop cannot take phone or card payments. However, it can still take cash. The money in your wallet solves the problem quickly.
You do not need a thick wallet every day. Keep a small amount in a safe place. Choose smaller bills and some coins. They are easier for a shop to accept. Smartphone payments are useful, but cash is a good backup. A backup is something you use when your first choice fails.










